SMALLFLOWER BUTTERCUP, Ranunculus abortivus L. 1, young plant; 2, plant in bloom; 3, mature receptacle bearing seeds; 4, seeds. Annual or biennial, reproducing by seeds. Stems slightly hairy, slender, branched from base, 6 to 20 inches (15 to 50 cm) tall. Lower leaves round, bright green with round-toothed margins, borne on long petioles coming from base of plant. Upper leaves on shorter petioles, divided into 3 to 5 leaflets with somewhat toothed margins. Flowers small, yellow, with small oblong petals. Seeds produced in round heads, numerous, flattened with very small curved beak, dull, wrinkled, yellowish-brown. Found in lowland meadows, pastures, and fields. The plant has no forage value and may poison livestock.